The iPad & Students with Visual and Multiple Disabilities: Apps for Communication

It is more and more common for students to receive an iPad as their personal Communication Device. The most common Communication apps are designed to provide a large vocabulary to non-verbal students. However, these apps are often challenging for kids who are Visually Impaired and have Multiple Disabilities (VI/MD) to access. The visual-motor integration and visual discrimination skills are often too challenging for kids who are VI/MD typically to be successful. While these communication apps are great for many and may be the right ones for some kids who have visual and multiple disabilities, be cautious. This includes apps such as Proloque2Go http://www.assistiveware.com/ and TouchChat HD http://touchchatapp.com/. There are many apps out there for the iPad that support communication needs and are more commonly applicable to students who are VI/MD – and are more affordable for a teacher to purchase.

TapSpeak Sequencehttp://tapspeak.com/drupal/Sequence - This app turns your iPad into a sequenced message device (aka Step-by-Step). The app will play back a series of recorded messages in order. You can customize the image displayed for each message. The default background is black; the display is visually very simple.

SoundingBoardhttp://www.ablenetinc.com/Assistive-Technology/Communication/SoundingBoard - This app allows you to create communication boards in a variety of layouts, from 1 to 9 buttons. Users can direct select or use a Bluetooth switch scanning interface. Programming boards include the ability to record messages and use the photo library included, or use your own photos. This software does allow linking between multiple boards. Unfortunately the background color, which is a light tan, cannot be changed. However, it IS a FREE app, with wide-reaching capabilities thanks to the linking and switch scanning features.

Previous comments for The iPad & Students with Visual and Multiple Disabilities: Apps for Communication

For kids who are having an AAC evaluation and considering an iPad - be sure to have the parents, AC/device specialist, speech therapist, TVI, and any OT or PT work TOGETHER to complete the evaluation. All these specialists need to have input on what will best meet the child's access, communication, and visual needs. If the student needs photographs instead of line drawings, make sure that the software the team is considering allows for this. Try it out - some of them have better screen resolution with photos than others. There is also software from GoTalk that allows for changing of the screen/button layout and change the background color as well as use photos. Another key area to check is screen glare, mounting, and positioning for best visual access to the screen - which can get tricky if the child is in a wheelchair. Anyone else have ideas for software for AAC for kids who are VI/MD?

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